Title of the project

Dinaric lynx reintroduction project

Description

On March 1973 three females and three males, live captured in Slovakian Carpathians, were released to Kočevje forest in Slovenia. The reintroduction to the Dinaric Mountains, is considered to be one of the most successful reintroductions of a large predator. The newly established population encountered favorable habitat with abundant prey base, and all three females produced offspring already in the first year. The population rapidly expanded, with lynx appearing in Croatia almost immediately in 1974, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1980. Vigorous population growth and range expansion during the initial 15 years was followed by a period of stabilization in the late 80s and early 90s.

Hunters organised the reintroduction and monitored the species once introduced.

Results

the population rapidly expanded and grew for 15 years. In 1974 lynx were recorded in Croatia, and in Bosnia and Herzogovina in 1980. The population stabilised in the 80s and 90s. It has been hailed as the most successful reintroduction of a large carnivore in history.

Location

Country	Slovenia
Level	Regional
Region	Dinaric Alps

Starting date

1973

Habitat Types

Forest/Woodland

Species

Species Caracteristics	Huntable species, Protected species
Species Type	Large carnivores
Name(s) of main species	Eurasian lynx - Lynx lynx

Conservation action(s)

Management of habitats and wildlife (e.g. conservation and restoration activities), Research and data collection (e.g. monitoring, bag data), reintroduction

Partners

Leading partners

local hunters' associations

Weblinks

http://www.biom.hr/en/vijesti/cetrdeseta-obljetnica-reintrodukcije-risa-u-dinaride/